Fabric Stores: The Nuts and Bolts

-- End Ad Box --->the desk and cut your own samples. When doing
There was a time when going to the fabric storethis make sure the sample is smaller than a dollar
meant you were looking for material to make abill.
dress. No longer is this true. Today, beautiful3. A store representative will cut the sample for
fabrics by the bolt are available to everyone whoyou.
has designs on reupholstering their furniture. WhenKeep in mind that more expensive fabrics, such
you visit the fabric store it can be a bitas silks, will require a store representative to
overwhelming. Your mind will go from not beingassist you or have samples already available.
sure of what you want to recover your furnitureAfter learning about the stores sample policy, you
with, to having so many options it seems like amust then determine how the store is organized.
daunting task to make a decision. Be prepared forYou may also want to ask someone from the
the myriad of choices you will have.desk about this when you are inquiring about
The first thing that you need to do is make a listsampling. Most likely you will find the fabrics have
of the furniture that you would like to recover.been organized in one of the following ways.
Have an upholsterer visit your home and give you1. By Color: Solids and patterns of the same color
measurements for all of the pieces you would likewill be grouped together.
to have recovered; they should happily do this in2. By Pattern: Solids will be separated from stripes
anticipation of the business it will bring them.without regard to color, etc.
Typically, you will be given a measurement in3. By Fabric Type: Silks will be separated from
yards. This is the number you will want to takechenilles, etc.
with you to the fabric store because, upon findingOnce you have determined the layout of the
the perfect material, a store representative willstore, pull out your accessories and color chips
ask how many yards you would like to have cutand begin your search. There will be an
from the bolt.overwhelming amount of fabric from which to
Next, you will want to take some small thingschoose. Do not let that intimidate you. Once you
from home, that will give you an idea of the colorhave chosen your color, material or pattern of
for which you are looking. You might have achoice, begin looking in the appropriate section.
favorite accessory that would assist you inDecide what attracts you to particular fabrics.
matching fabrics to your room. One helpful tip isWhat is the most important thing in making your
to take color chips from the paint store with you.decision? Is your room in need of glamour, or do
These can easily be taken in your tote bag andyou need a sturdy, durable weave to withstand
will be invaluable in selecting your fabric.the children? In general, lighter weight fabrics will
Make a game plan as to how you navigate thebe less durable that weighty fabrics. When
stores. Most fabric stores have a very deliberateselecting a fabric, also pay attention to the
way that they organize their bolts. A particularweave. Is it dense? The denser a fabric is, the
arrangement is the store’s method ofmore durable it is. Thick and tightly woven fabrics
enriching a customer’s experience forare great for the years when you are raising a
them. Upon arriving at the store ask about thefamily, while silks add glamour and are far more
store’s sample policy. Most fabric storesdelicate and difficult to clean.
have a specific sample policy which they will askWhatever your goal in selecting fabrics, you can
that you adhere to because you are samplingbe sure that you will find the perfect one at a
their inventory and cut after cut slowly but surelylocal fabric store. Surprisingly, they are very
costs the store money which raises the prices forreasonably priced and you can take your selection
you. So sample lightly! Here are three samplehome with you the same day. You will love your
policies from around the Atlanta area.reupholstered furniture all the more because you
1. Samples have been cut and are provided on aselected the material on your own. Have fun
safety pin attached to the bolt.shopping for fabric. It will bring out the designer in
2. You can obtain a pair of fabric scissors fromyou.